Sources: John Elway reaches out to Von Miller to talk long-term deal

After almost a full month without dialogue, Denver Broncosgeneral manager John Elway personally called Von Miller over the Fourth of July weekend to express his desire to work out a long-term deal, league sources told ESPN.

The two sides, the Broncos and Miller, now are on the clock, with the July 15 deadline for franchise players to come to terms on long-term deals looming.

In what the Broncos hoped would be an ice-breaker, Elway and Miller are said to have spent about 10-15 minutes on the phone this past weekend, with Denver's general manager letting his franchise player know that the Broncos still love him and still want to re-sign him, league sources said. Elway told Miller that Denver would reach out to his agents this week in an effort to jumpstart talks and procure a long-term deal, a source said. Until this weekend, the last time the two sides spoke was June 7.

Just last month, Miller publicly stated he would not play this season under the franchise tag, and all contact between the sides had ceased. Some around the league thought there were hard feelings between the two sides, which could be why Elway personally reached out to Miller. Some said it was a call that needed to happen with the franchise deadline fast approaching.

Miller, the MVP of Super Bowl 50, received the Broncos' exclusive franchise tag on March 1. Unless Miller and Denver can reach agreement on a long-term deal by July 15, Miller will make the average of the top-five salaries of his position for this year. And since it's an exclusive tag, that will prohibit Miller from talking to any other teams.

One of the league's best impact pass rushers, Miller had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers for the championship. He also had 2.5 sacks and an interception in the Broncos' win over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

Miller had 11 sacks, 35 tackles and four forced fumbles en route to his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2015. He has 60 career regular-season sacks.